Folding bed.



No. 698,368. v Patented Apr. 22, I902.

' C. P. BROWN.

FOLDING BED.

. (Aymplication filed May 4, 1901 (No Model.) 3 Sheets Sheet WITNESSESIN v5 T0,?

% J er v M V A No, 698,368. Patented Apr. 22, 1902.

. c. P. snnwu.

FOLDING BED.

(Application filed May 4, 1901.\

(No Model.) 3Sheets--$heet 2 i 7/? 1 E 5 9 2' W v 3f 07 f I 0 I a 7.? Il 9;; 6 I 96" M z 5 Z? 7? 7a y I 7 7" a 2 i 70 7 z .2= 7,9 '9 74 7/ f 09 a I 5 0 77 24 90 0 7/ I WITNESSES IN VENTOH W) a z e @rl'ZZfi'wu/hATTO NEYS m: imam: Prrzns cu. mnfoum, wnsumumm n. c.

Patented Apr. 22, I902. C. P. BROWN. I

FOLDING BED.

Application filed Ma'y 4, 1901) 3Sl1eets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

N VENTOH QZZZ ffiraa/iz m w W l ATTORNEYS 7H2 NDRRXS PETERS 00PROTO-LITVQQ. WASHENGTOVL. D C- UNITED STATES 1 P TENT OFFICE.

Yo RrL aovv v, OF SPRINGLAKE, MICHIGAN:

FOLDING BED.

srnicrrtea'rrolv forming part of Letters Patent No. ceases, dated April22,1902.

i hpplieationiiled May 4, 1901 seen n. 58,724. on model.)

To all rah/01711 7125 may concern;

Be it known that I, CYR I LP. BROWN, a citizen ofthe United States, andresident of Springlake, in the county of OttaWaandState of, Michigan,have invented new and useful Improvementsin Folding Beds, of which thefollowing is a r new, and exact descrip.

tion.

The objectof thisainvention is to provide-a bedstead of lth'evfoldingtype: formed principally of cylindric rodsof metal and having noveldetails of construction whichadapt it for convenientmanipulation to openoricjlose it, and render it safe in use byprovisionof 1 means to lockthe folding section in opened cndition;and a further object of theinvention is to provide a selfladjusting canopyframe for the bed,whichframe extends over 6 a brace 11 is affixedfirom which extends the couchwhen the latteris in a} horizontal position.

The invention consists in thefnovel con-j struction and combinationofparts as is hereinafter describedfinddefinedin the appended claims.

Reference drawings, forminga partof this specification, in which similarcharacters of reference indicate corresponding partsinall the figures.Figure 1 isaperspective view of the i improved folding bed in opened,adjustment. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of the bed in fold- Fig. 3 isan enlarged side view Fig. dis a partly-sectional side viewsubstantiallywonthe line tem Fig. 1; and Fig. 5 is a partly-sectionalplan view'of novel features, substantially on the line-5 5 in Fig.4. a

Two main posts 6, joined together attheir upper ends by a crojssbar 6are erected upon feet 7 in block form, from which extend bars properdistance apart. On each post 6,.at a

suitable distance above the foot-blocks ,7, a bracket-arm 10 is secured,which arms are opposite and project each other. i p a a i Abovethebracket-arms 10 on each post rearward parallel with is to be had to theaecom pan yin g ,Which the brace 11 is a. member and serves to attachthe brace-bar upon the post, and the lower end of each brace-bar 11 isfirmly rearward and downward a brace-bar ll, of

aflixed upon a T coupli'ngpiece ll ,that in turn is mounted upon andsecured tea respective rear endof a complementary footbar 8. i t i Ataproper distance above thebraces 11 atransverse spacing-rod 12 issecured at its ends upon the posts (3, and it will be seen that, by thedescribed construction of parts the posts 6 are stably support-ed invertical shapely base of such breadth and length rearwardly consideredthat weight imposed upon the posts will best) counteracted as to beprevented from tipping the head frame of the bed structure constitutedby the above-described details. i

A rectangular couch-frame 13, preferably positions and afforded a light,strong, and

formed ofplate metal, beiitso as to afford an inwardly-extendinghorizontal flange thereon,

which is continuous around tbeframe, is piv-' oted nearitsforwardendupon the bracketarms 10 by a fulcrumd'od 14, the ends of.whichloosely engage perforations in the sides ofthe: couch-frame, butare secured firmlyin' opposite perforations in the bracket-arms 10.

Preferably a footpiece 13 and a headpiece comprising the similar legs1.5,held spaced apart by. the angle-plate 1.5, so as to dependtherefrom, the length; of the angle plate adaptingthe legs, that aretriangularin crosssection, to fit closelyupon the rear corners ofthe'couch-frame when said frame is seated upon the horizontal members ofthe couchframe 13.

A fulcrum-rod 16 (indicated in Figs. land legs15 near their upper ends,said rod having rockable engagement in the angular corner of the bentfoot piece 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. From oneleg 15 near one sidemember of the couch-frame 13 a pusher-bar 17 extends forward, the rearend thereof having loose engagement with the bench-leg, and the forwardend, that is formed with a lateral journal-pin, in a like manner engagesa box 18, that is formed or secured upon an end of one of thebracket-arms 10.

It will be seen that if the rear portion of the couch-frame 13 iselevated so as to rock it on the fulcrum-rod 14 into an upright positionsuch a movement will by service of the pusher-bar 17 correspondingly,rock the twolegged bench, forming the support of the rear end of thecouch-frame, and fold the legs 15 forwardly against the lower outercorners of the side members-of said couch-frame, as is represented inFig. 2.

Preferably the pusher-bar 17 is guided in its longitudinal movement bythe guide-loop 17, which extends down from an adjacent side of thecouch-frame 13.

An auxiliary footpiece is provided for the assured support of thehead-frameof the bed and consists of'the following details: Upon thebase-plate!) at its center, a fiat arm 9 is formed or secured, whichextends of a suitable length rearward, and upon the extended portionthereof a bracket-plate 9" is affixed parallel with the base-plate 9.

The bracket-plate 9 is turned up at each side to provide two standingflanges 9, which are oppositely perforated for the reception of thejournals, which project laterally from the ends of a U-shaped footpiece19, the limbs of which are so spaced apart as to adapt the journalsthereon to project out through the perforations in the flanges 9, whilethe footpiece is held to rock between them. Upon one limb of theU-shaped base-piece 19 an:

, end of the latch-bar 20 is pivoted, as shown best inFig. 5, and thisbar, extending transstands the free end portion of the latch-bar 2Obedstead, which will prevent it from tipping versely on the base-piece19 near its journals 19, passes loosely through a looped guard 21,

carried by the other limb of the footpiece.

On the rear end of the upright flange 9 toward which the latch-bar 20projects, a hooknose Z7 is formed, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3,and when the footpiece 19 is rocked so as to project it rearwardly andhas its looped end in contact with the fioor whereon the bed should beintroduced below the said hooknose, whichwill lock the footpiece 19 in anearly horizontal position and adapt it to serve as an extension-basefor the head-frame of the toward the rear when the bed is being opened.

The upper rear corner on the said flange 9 is rounded, which facilitatesthe sliding movement of the latch-bar 20 upon the upper edge of theflange, as hereinafter more fully explained.

lVhen the auxiliary base-piece 19 is adjusted forservice, asdescribed,the latch-bar 20 is held in place beneath the hook-nose b byafingerspring I), secured at one end on the rear face of the latch-bar,and projects through the guard 21, against which said spring presses, soas to prevent an accidental displacement of the latch-bar 20.

In the upper edge of the flange 9 having the hook-nose b a notch a isformed at a suitable point for the reception of the body of thelatch-bar 20, when the couch-frame 13 is elevated sufficiently to closethe bed, and when the latch-bar enters said notch 0 it will be held fromaccidental removal by thefingerspring b, that contacts with the endofthe guide-loop 21, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

The device which maybe employed for supporting a canopy ormosquito-netting pendent over the couch-frame and bed supported on itconsists of the following detailsi A U shaped counterbalance-frame, thatis preferably a single bar of metal bent into form so as to provide twoparallel side members 22, connected by a cross-bar 22, is pivoted,'as at(1, near the ends of said members 22 upon two like bracket-arms 23,which are oppositely secured upon the posts 6 near the crossbar 6,-which joins the upper ends of said posts, this disposal of thehanger-frame permitting it to hang pendent or be elevated so as toextend in a horizontal position above and over the couch-frame if thelatter is in lowered condition.

Upon one of the side members 22 one end of an arm 24 is secured, the armextending at the side of said member toward and beyond the cross-bar 22and having an offsetein its body to afiord clearance from the framemember 22, which will permitthe longitudinal adjustment of acounterbalance weight-block 24 upon the counterbalance-arm 24, whereonsaid block is mounted loosely, but may be secured by a set-bolt g at anypoint it is placed. The ends of the side members 22 are connectedtogether by a cross-bar 22", which completes the counterbalance-frame,rendering it substantially rectangular in form.

A rocker-frame consisting of two side levers 25, spaced apart at theirlower ends by a transverse bar 25, is located near the posts 6, and attheir upper ends the levers 25 are loosely connected with the crossbar22 of the hanger-frame. The transverse bar 25 of the rocker-frame passesbeneath the sides of the couch-frame 13 and is held to slide a limiteddistance thereon by like keeper-loops h, which respectively depend fromthe lower surface of the couch-frame near the bracketarms 10.

The location and means for connecting the rocker-frame with thecouch-frame and stationary head-frame of the bedstead adapts thecounterbalance-frame to rock downward when the couch -frame is rockedupward. For proper conjunctive operation the crossbar 25 of therocker-frame is. permitted to slide in the keeper-loops hat the start ofthe upward movement given to the couch-frame 13. This sliding movementis arrested by contact of the cross-bar 25 with the bent bracebars 11,and it will be seen that as the bedframe 13 is rocked from a horizontalposition the cross-bar 25 will be guided and controlled by thebrace-bars 11, which quickens the movement of the couch-frame androckerframe until the cross-bar 25 impinges upon the rear ends of thebracket-arms 11. The rocker-frame having been correspondingly elevatedalong with the couch-frame, it will be seen that its travelsimultaneously lowers the counterbalance-frame, upon which it is jointedat the upper ends of the members 25 of said rocker-frame. As thecouch-frame by its connection with the rocker-frame andcounterbalance-frame is adapted to fold upwardly somewhat quickerat thestart than the counterbalance-frame descends, it Will be seen that thisdifference in speed of movement at the commencement of the same willinsure the proper ascent of the conclrframe, so that the counterbalanceframe will be folded down upon the couch-frame when the latter is fullyelevated.

' It will be noticed that when the cross-bar 25 of the rocker-frameengages the ends of before mentioned, it will be seen that upon therelease of the latch-bar 20 from beneath the hook-nose said bar willslide freely upon the upper edge of the flange 9, upon which thehook-nose is formed, and as the auxiliary base-piece 19 is elevated intoa vertical position the latch-bar will be pressed into the notch c andbe therein locked by the fingerspring I), as before explained.

The combined weight of the hanger-frame, block 24 and arm 24: should besufficient to about counterbalance the weight of the couchframe and anybedding placed thereon, so that the upward folding movement of thecouch-frame and bed thereon may be readily etfected with but slightexertion, and as the weight-block 24 is movable it will be seen that thecounterbalancing of parts may be efiected therewith if the bedclothingis changed to lighten or increase the weight of the same. It will beapparent that when the described parts of the bed are adjusted tolowering of the couch-frame until'thebasea piece 19 is first releasedand lowered into ahorizontal position for support of the bed while theoperation of opening it is being conducted.

It will be seen in Figs. 1 and 2 that a wovenwire bottom A or any otherstyle of bed-bottom may with advantage be stretched taut at the lowerside of the couch-frame 13 and thereon secured by any preferred meanswhich will form a support for the bed proper, and in order to hold thebedding in place, so that it will not become disarranged when thecouch-frame is rocked upward, straps 26, that are each furnished withbuckles or equivalent means for adjustment, are attached at their endsupon the sides of the couch-frame, so as .to be adjusted over and uponthe bedclothing cut when the counterbalance-frame and net ting thereonare rocked down so as to render the hanger-frame upright.

Upon the bracket-arms 23, adjacent to the cross-bar 6 two'standards'23are erected which afford support for a curtain frame, comprising atransverse member 23 and two integral side members 23, bent at rightangles to the transverse member, hooks on, bent upon the ends of theside members 23, having engagement in tubulations formed on the upperends of the standards.

It will be seen that the curtain-frame extends a suitable degree overthe counterbalance-frame and couch-frame when the bed is in foldedcondition, and is well adapted to carry drapery in the form of asuitable curtain, which may hau g in front of the folded bed-sectionsysoas to conceal the same.

I have described my improved folding bed as constructed of metal. I donot, however, wish to be confined to such material for its manufacture,as it is apparent by slight alterations in shape and proportion ofpartssome details or" the device may be formed of any suitable wood andafford an equally serviceable bed. 7

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent 1. In a folding bed, the combination with a head-framehaving feet, a transverse baseplate on said feet, and a bracket-plateextended from'the base-plate near its center,

of an auxiliary base-piece which is pivoted by one end on thebracket-plate to receive vertical or horizontal adjustment, and aspringcontrolled latching device adapted to hold the auxiliarybase-piece in upright or lowered position.

ICC

, flanged bracket-plate projected from the base proper, an auxiliarybase-piece jointed upon the flanges of the bracket-plate, and alatchingdevice adapted to hold the auxiliary basepiece upright or in loweredadjustment.

3. In afolding bed, the combination with an upright head-frame, ofabase, a bracket-plate having two spaced upright flanges, one of saidflanges having a hook-nose on one end and a notch in the upper edgespaced from the hook-nose,an auxiliary base-piece pivoted at one endbetween the upright flanges, and a spring-pressed latch-bar pivoted onthe auxiliary base-piece and adapted to engage beneath the hook-nosewhen the base-piece is lowered, and enter the notch when said auxiliarybase-piece is elevated.

47. In a folding bed, the combination with a head-frame,a fixed basetherefor, and an auxiliary base-piece, comprising a U shaped bar, abracket-plate projected from the fixed base between sides of thehead-frame and whereon journal ends of the U -shaped bar are pivoted,and means to hold said U -shaped bar upright or lowered, of acouch-frame, rockably engaged near one end with portions of theheadframe, and a support for the other end of the couch-frame.

5. In a folding bed, the combination with an upright head-frame havingtwo side posts, a bracket-arm extended from each of the side posts, afixed base for the head-frame, an auxiliary basepiece projecting fromthe fixed base between the side posts of the head-frame, and means forreleasably holding the auxiliary base-piece upright or lowered, of acouchframe pivoted near one end thereof between and upon thebracket-arms, a support at the rear end of the couch-frame having twolegs adapted to automatically rock down at a right angle to thecouch-frame for its support,when

it is lowered, or be folded up against the lower side thereof when saidcouch-frame is given an upright position.

6. In afolding bed, the combination with an upright head-frame havingfeet,two side posts,

two bent brace-bars on the side posts, arms on the post engaged by upperends of the bracebars which are aflixed at lower ends to the feet, acouch-frame pivoted near one end thereof upon the arms of thehead-frame, and means for supporting the other end of the couchframewhen it is lowered, of a rectangular counterbalance-frame held to rockon the upper end of the head-frame, anda rockerframe loosely engagingthe members of the counterbalance-frame, and having a crossbarextended'beneath the couch-frame, so as to contact with the bent frameand be guided thereby, and the rocking movement of the couch-frametransmitted to the counterbalance-frame whereby said frames are adaptedto fold toward each other or the reverse.

7. In a folding bed, the combination with an upright head-frame, acouch-frame pivoted near one end on the members of the headframe, andmeans to support the other end of the couch-frame when it is lowered, ofa rectangular counterbalance-frame held to rock on the upper part of thehead-frame, a counterbalance-arm on one side of thecounterbalance-frame,an adjustable weight-block thereon, and arocker-frame loosely engaging members of the counterbalance-frame andcouch-frame for their simultaneous movement toward or from each other.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

CYRIL P. BROWN.

Witnesses:

JOHN B. PRUIM, ENNo J. PRUIM.

